VIHC Announces The Third Annual Heath Award Winners
Date: May 31, 2006 | Press Release: #06-006
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is honored to present the 2005 Heath Award for Teaching Excellence Recipients for Ms. Sandra Reed of Lockhart Elementary School for the St. Thomas / St. John district and Mr. Gerard Emanuel of Central High School for the St. Croix district.
Ms. Sandra Reed has 16 years of teaching experience and is involved in numberous church and civic organizations that mentor children. She is an alumna of the University of the Virgin Islands and is presently working on a second master of Arts degree in Adminstration and Supervision. Ms. Reed is a member of the Mongo Niles Cultural Dancers and has used her experience as a quadrille dancer to direct the Lockhart Quadrille Dancers ? a youth quadrille group that is in high demand in the community. They are constantly invited to perform at numerous events such as Miracle on Main Street, American Federation of Teachers Socials and events sponsored by the Government of the Virgin Islands. Ms. Reed?s life reflects her commitent to the communities youths and Virgin Islands Culture.
Mr. Gerard Emanuel has been teaching on both the University and High School level for over 7 years. At the St. Croix Central High School he teaches Caribbean History, Comparative Government, Street Law and World History. Mr Emanuel is also an alumnus of the University of the Virgin Islands and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration. He has also studied at Howard University and University of the Copenhagen, Institute of Economic History. Mr Emanuel is constantly giving back to his Virgin Islands community by instructing Central High students in the Superior Court?s Moot Court Compitition, coaching school-aged youths, presenting at various historical or political events, participating in Humanities projects, and providing research and source materials for various publications including ?The Umbilical Cord? and ?Clear de Road.? It is clear to see that Mr. Emanuel has dedicated his life to researching, preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands.
Former recepients of the Heath Award for Teaching Excellence were: Ms. Frances Rutnik & Ms. Lisa Lenhardt in 2004 and Mr. Glenn ?Kwabena? Davis and Mr. Anselm Richards in 2003.
The Heath Award was established in 2003 and recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K?12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities.
For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.